News Releases

Jun212005

WASHINGTON, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) today announced that the Senate Commerce, Justice and State (CJS) Appropriations bill will include critical funding to boost salmon recovery efforts on the West Coast. Murray helped secure $90 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, with the largest amount, $25 million, going to Washington state.

“Protecting salmon is vital to preserving our way of life in Washington state and throughout the Pacific Northwest,” Senator Murray said. “Communities across the state have committed to protecting and restoring salmon runs and I’m proud that the Senate has provided funding to make this possible.”

The bill also provides $8 million to Pacific coast tribes and $2.5 million to Columbia River tribes. Of the remaining funds, $24 million will go to Alaska, $13 million to Oregon, $13 million to California, and $4.5 million Idaho.

The House of Representatives has passed a bill that only includes $50 million for the entire Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund and does not allocate these limited funds among the states. The Senate bill must now go to the full Senate Appropriations Committee for approval this Thursday and then to the full Senate for a vote. The funding differences with the House will have to be worked out in conference later this summer or fall.